Case Bearing Leaf Beetle Larva

What’s this bug?
Location: Fox Chapel, PA
September 4, 2011 5:28 pm
I took these photos on July 14th around 11:30 am at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel which is about 15 minutes East of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was a bright sunny day and the brown case that this bug appeared to be carrying around and sheltering beneath caught my eye on a leaf.
Signature: Linda Willhide – Volunteer Naturalist for the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve

Case Bearing Leaf Beetle Larva

Hi Linda,
This is the larva of a Case Bearing Leaf Beetle in the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, though we cannot provide you with a species name. According to BugGuide: “As far as known, the larval stages are all casebearers, living in and protected by a case constructed of their fecal matter and sometimes plant debris. The case is shorter than the larva that remains folded inside it.” Here is a photo from BugGuide that looks very close to your individual.

Case Bearing Leaf Beetle Larva

Daniel,
Thanks so much for identifying it!
I looking forward to sharing this information with my fellow naturalists and the children on the educational nature walks.
Have a great day!
Thanks again,
Linda